Different selections of JM's leaf out at different times, so yours may just be a little late. But you should see plump buds at the stem ends. These are present in winter after leaf fall but start swelling in early spring and they should be clearly visible now. Photos would help to confirm. If the buds are still tiny or appear dried or desiccated, that is not a good sign.

Much of WI is below the typical hardiness range for Japanese maples in the ground. If yours is in a container, then all bets are off.

Ours is in a container and was wrapped in burlap to add protection through winter and is sheltered and close to the house but I fear we may have still lost it... 😞

If left in a container outside all winter - even one that is protected - then its chances are not very good. Japanese maple roots can be fatally damaged at 25F. That is even a concern in my very mild zone. In WI, this container should have been stored somewhere where the temp remains above freezing, like a garage or heated greenhouse. I doubt it survived your WI winter.